The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 315: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

806 “‘ And what is the meaning of this?” cried the Duke: “you don’t intend me to understand that she is separated from her husband P”’ “‘ Nothing of the sort, my lord,” returned Army- tage. “ Moredith was most anxious to acgompany her: but she begged and implored that ahe might go alone. Her health has been failing for sama little time past; and the physicians ordered hee to visit a more genial clime. Meredith and | wes compelled to let hor have her own way: for if ye had refused it would only have agitated her and rendered her worse. I think that she is the least thing inclined to be fanciful—not we hypo: chondriacal—but she has got it into her head that a few months’ complete seclusion in the wuth of France or in Italy will put hey eomplaiels rights.” “ Then, in that case,” obsapeed the Duke, “% was much better to let her have her own way.” “This is what I repreagntedh ta Meredith,” said Mr. Armytage: “but | had 9 greag deal of trouble in persuading him tp consent. He is dotingly fond of Zoaershg egsunga me that nothing can exceed his loye fap her—and ghe would be completely happy werg it not fp thig norvous illness of her’s.” After a little more eanyarsation, Ma, Armytege took his leave: and when he wag gone, the Duke, on examining his bapkex’a book, qxperianced the most bitter vexation an finding that the cheque which be had promised: to give qa the morrow would considerably ov w hia accognt. The Duke's credit was however gaod ; and coprequently there was no diffculty ig the way of his com- pliance with Mr. Armytage’s exorbitant demand. On the followi ak ahous eleven in forenoon, Madame® ne " ed in a plainest garb, proceeded to afer, and Sie about in the neighbourhaod of the Princess's vi She presently saw Mark, the faithful intendant, or major-domo of the houge}ald, iggue from the dwell, ing: she pretended to hg walking (awards the main road, with the air of q who had a ectiiad and legitimate object in view; and thugabe watched him until he entered ay qupibua, When the} _ Vehicle was out of sight, she retraged. hex at towards the neighbourhood of the villa; and oA few minutes she beheld ia the Approaching the fence, she gave s peculiar oo which at once teached the ayah’a Car : “es the latter proceeded towards a spot y ahpoaded from the view of the windows of the dueling, she could converse with Madame Angeli “Your mistress has returned,” said & the ayah,—* has she not P” | 99 “Yes—she came back the day bef replied Sagoonah. “What was donaf" “Not that which we anticipated,” Ma- dame Angelique. “Your mistress herself of a dagger, and so terrified the Duke thas he fled away from her presence,” “Then your Duke,” answered Magoonab, her superb eyes flashing fire and her termilion lips wreathing with ineffable scorn, “ waa a poar paltry coward. Why do you seek ma again?’ she de- manded almost fiercely. “Has the Lady Indora said nothing tq you in order to account for her absence?” inquired Ma- dame Angelique. “ Nothing,” repliedthe ayah. “It is not proba- THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ble that a great lady such as she is, would enter into familiar discourse with her slave on a subject eke would of course rather avoid.” “ And is it impossible for you to draw her inte conversation ?” inquired Madame Angelique. “Imposnble on that point, I feel convinced,” Sagoonah. “Bat can you think I shall] attempt to serve you further when you throw away such golden opportunities P’—and there was so siniater g light shining in thé depths of her lus- trous eyes, that the wily Frenchwoman was struck thereby. — « fe ” she said, a8 a suspicion srose in thee mind, “I think that it was not for the sake of the gc ee you undertook to serve my purpose?” “Aud wherefore do you think that ?” asked the | PP recat there is a visible feeling of annoyance om your part at the failure of the enterprise. You ished your mustress to succumb to the Duke of Marchmont ?”’—and Madame Angelique fixed her eyes keenly ypon the countenance of the ayab. “Explain yourself more fully,” said Sagoonab, atill with a eold and unrufiied demeanour. “ Perhana you have reason to dislike your mis- tress P”” Madame Angelique; “and you therefore aided in s scheme which was to effect her ruin. En 9 war, ou, Wore inspired by a hope of ve “Na-ngt $” murmured the ayahb, now alk in ap instant becoming profoundly agi- tated, “My misteges hag ever been kind to me: but thee ia. something hare”—and she laid her hand upop hee heart—-“ which seems to be an evil spirit prompting me to dreadful things!” “ Te ig ag 1 bare said,” resumed Madame Ange- Kane: “yoy have some bitter feeling in respect to your mistwqag-rand therefoxe you aided in the hope Of working her xin P” “Woman,” replied Sagognah fiercely, “ the evil apit bas thrown yqu ag a temptress in my way. Would that I had never seen you!—or else that your plans had heen qffectually carried out! For now I have ajl the remorae of an evil deed, without the satisfaction, of kaguing that it was accom- phished,”’ ° “Do nok peprogoh me,” said Madame Angelique, in thet waige of cajolery which she knew so weil ROW to agate; “bag lah us converse reasonably ther, Ah!” she aj as another sus- picien afanak hog: “ you wish to be intro- duced ta que of thpse fing gentlemen of whom I have ta you—but you are afraid to fall unless yqup mistrous has first set you the example?” “ Dara you think,” asked Sagoonab, her eyes again flashing fire, “that impure thoughts harboor in this hogam of mme?” and with a mechanical gesture sha partially drew aside the snow-white drapery fyom her awelling bust. ‘“ No, no!—and if for a single instant I suffered you to imagine that I was m yielding a preference to my mistrese in respech to your vile purposes, it was simply because L did not then choose to enter into the slightest ax ion with you. But rest assured that if I were brought into the presence of any one of the fine gentlemen to whom you have al- luded—and if if were for an improper purpose—- I would not be content with the mere brandishing of a dagger, ag you say my mistress was—but [ would plunge it deep down into the villain’s heart!’ We 2 ee (COL (C DOO CS (COL